Readers’ wildlife photographs

Reader Joe Dickinson sent some photographs from a trip to Canada; this is actually the second batch, as I’m pressed for time this morning and can’t prepare the first lot. We’ll see them soon. Joe’s notes are indented:

Here is addendum to my previous contribution. Emerald lake is a beautiful glacial lake about 25 miles west of Lake Louise in Yoho National Park (in British Columbia, just across the continental divide from Banff). We watched a mature adult common loon (Gavia immer) in breeding plumage (can’t tell whether male or female) catch a small fish, do a little wing flapping display and then present the fish to a juvenile, presumably its offspring.

And we have three photos of backyard wildlife from Diana MacPherson in Ontario:

Startled American Red Squirrel Clinging to Tree Trunk. I think this is a juvenile. It’s fairly small for a red squirrel and appears not much bigger than the chipmunks!

Female ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Resting on Steel Guide Wires Over Nectar Sources. The guide wires hold up my sun sail. Another female chased her repeatedly. I believe these are the same two that have been hanging around. The boys are long gone.

Very good. A couple years ago we rented a summer cabin by a private lake, and the lake hosted a pair of loons. It was wonderful to hear their strange calls coming over the glass smooth lake in the morning. They had a teeny weeny chick with them. I wish I had a huge telephoto lens, as I am sure it was totally squee.

Wow, gorgeous photos of loons, lake and backyard wildlife. Kinda makes up for the crazy-Canadian-holy-potato story from yesterday. We’re not All nutters up here. (Though that story was a tad embarrassing!)